Thursday, 12 December 2024: Eskom is reminding zero buyers that the grace period for regularising their accounts ends on Friday, 13 December 2024. Eskom has been actively conducting campaigns across various platforms to inform customers about this deadline. Customers who visit Eskom centres by this date and settle any outstanding tamper fines will have their meters repaired or replaced, electricity supply restored, and accounts regularised without additional charges. Eskom urges customers to act promptly to avoid penalties and service disruptions.
Eskom has been running its most recent campaigns over the last 18 months appealing to electricity users to come forward and do what is right by regularising accounts and buying electricity from legal vendors. Eskom continues to encourage eligible households to check their qualification for the Free Basic Electricity (FBE) grant, which provides 50kWh of electricity per month. Customers should contact their local municipalities for more information.
Following the completion of the Key Revision Number (KRN) rollover project, Eskom has successfully transitioned 5.64 million prepaid customers, including 400,000 former zero buyers, to the updated KRN2 system. The project, combined with a comprehensive data cleanup, has increased Eskom’s customer base from 6.91 million to 7.25 million. To date, approximately 100,000 customers have received tamper fines, with 15,000 fines already fully or partly paid. However, there are still zero buyers who need to take action to comply with the requirements.
Zero buyers who purchased electricity tokens before the 24 November 2024 deadline but experienced issues loading them must visit Eskom centers by 13 December 2024 for assistance. Customers with lost, tampered, or bypassed meters are also urged to come forward so that their cases can be resolved. Tamper fines will be assessed, and necessary meter updates or replacements will be scheduled.
Payment Options for Customers who have visited Eskom’s Centers
Customers who have already visited Eskom centers and received a reference number can complete their tamper fine payments online or at the bank without needing to return to the center. Eskom will provide updates via SMS. Customers are reminded that Eskom centers do not accept cash payments and should not offer cash at any location. Support is available through Eskom’s various communication channels, including Alfred the Chatbot, the Eskom Contact Centre’s IVR system, and WhatsApp.
Increased Enforcement After 13 December 2024
Starting from 14 December 2024, Eskom will continue its normal operations but will intensify the auditing of meters and installations. This will include issuing tamper fines, potentially up to R12,000, and could involve criminal charges for repeated offenses. Eskom encourages customers to resolve their issues within the grace period to avoid these severe penalties and ensure their accounts are regularised.
This support is crucial for Eskom’s operational and financial sustainability and to contribute to South Africa’s economic growth.
For further assistance, customers are encouraged to use Eskom’s digital support tools: improved Alfred the Chatbot at https://alfred.eskom.co.za/chatroom, the Eskom Contact Centre’s IVR system and “MyEskom Customer” app. Additionally, customers can visit our legal vendor list at https://www.eskom.co.za/distribution/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/2024123Vending-outlets.xlsx.
Eskom continues to work diligently to ensure a seamless experience for its paying customers.
ENDS
